A former deputy superintendent of police and his three-year-old grandson were among six people who nearly died when the place they rented caught fire in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kathua district early on Wednesday, an official said.
Four other people who were injured in the incident were treated at the hospital.
According to the police, people in the area saw the house on fire around 2:30 in the morning and rushed to rescue those inside. The house was filled with smoke, which put out the sleep of those inside, they said.
The victims were transferred to the Government Medical College (GMC) hospital in Kathua where six of them, including two children, were ‘brought dead’, officials said.
The deceased have been identified as former deputy SP Avtar Krishen Raina, 81, his daughter Barkha Raina (25), son Takash (3), Ganga Bhagat, 17, 15-year-old Danish Bhagat and 6-year-old Advik, said the police.
The injured and undergoing treatment are Swarna, 61, wife of Avtar Krishen Raina, Neetu Devi (40), Arun Kumar (15), and a 69-year-old woman.
Dr. Surinder Atri, the principal of the hospital, said, “Ten people were brought to the hospital. Six were brought dead, four others were injured.” Initial investigations reveal that the victims died of smoke inhalation and suffocation, he added, adding that no burns were reported.
“It is an unfortunate incident. Our assistant matron, who had recently retired, lived in a rented house. The incident happened between 2 am and 3 am. He called and I immediately informed the police and the fire brigade,” added the doctor.
Rocky Sharma, a student, said he was studying at night when he saw the fire and rushed to the house with others. “The fire burned the living room, and the smoke that entered other rooms led to the death of people,” he added.
The police have registered a case and started an investigation into the matter.
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